Access to Justice Clinic

Access to Justice Clinic students.

Access to Justice Clinic student attorneys Tara Lucombe, '25 and Serena Brahaspat, '25. 

Access to Justice Clinic Overview

In the Access to Justice Clinic (A2J), student attorneys work to protect and advance civil rights, equal rights, and reproductive justice, especially for vulnerable and underrepresented communities. Our work includes litigating in federal court, advocating for legislative reform, and engaging in the community.  From civil rights litigation to equal rights legislation to reproductive justice and maternal health advocacy, our students represent clients on issues of local, national, and global importance. 

Note: This course satisfies four hours of the experiential learning requirement and provides the 50-hours of pro bono service required for admission to the NYS Bar.

Meet the Access to Justice Clinic Director

Headshot of Bernadette Gargano.

Bernadette Gargano

Director of Access to Justice Clinic

Clinical Legal Education

507 O'Brian Hall

Phone: 716-645-2167

Email: gargano@buffalo.edu

Our Work

Civil Rights Equal Rights Reproductive Rights
Federal Litigation - Civil Rights
  • Students will have the opportunity to work on federal civil rights cases, network with outstanding federal practitioners, and meet federal judges. 
  • Students will perform legal research, develop legal resources for unrepresented litigants, and aid in navigating legal documents and the court system. 
  • Students will also staff embedded clinics in the federal courthouses in Western New York. 

Readings & Resources

Books Articles
  • Controlling Women: What We Must Do Now to Save Reproductive Freedom, Kathryn Kolbert and Julie F. Kay (2024 edition)
  • Killing the Black Body, Dorothy Roberts (2017 edition a/k/a 20th Anniversary Edition)